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— How many years have you lived in Winchester?
I've just marked my 11 year anniversary of living in Winchester and now live in the Muraco neighborhood with my husband and 2 children, ages 8 and 4.
— Please describe your professional background and education.
I have a Master of Public Policy, which is why I find municipal government so interesting. I spent many years working in the education sector, supporting federal, state, and local education agencies, particularly in special education and managing K-12 data. Currently, I work with large organizations who are studying culture and compliance in their companies.
— What Winchester town positions (appointed or elected) have you held, and for how long?
I am seeking re-election to town meeting in precinct 1. I'm a member of the Select Board, which I've served on for 3 years, 2 years as the vice chair and I'm the Select Board's representative to the Field Management Committee. Previously, I served on the Personnel Board.
--What volunteer roles have you done that made a difference in Winchester?
Prior to joining the board, I was a member of the FAN Board and met lots of new Winchester residents, many, like me, who were looking to get more engaged in town. I've also been a Board member of Winchester ABC for several years, serving as the Co-Chair of Admissions. These two roles helped me meet and engage with WInchester residents. I got a better sense of how the town operated and what I could do to help. I learned from others in town what roles they had had and how they were able to make change.
— Why should I vote for you?
As a town meeting member, I listen to differing arguments, and try to understand how a yes or no vote would impact our precinct and the town. The Fells, Davidson Park, and Muraco School are major assets in precinct 1 that I'd support should they come before town meeting. As a representative of precinct 1, I consider how town meeting votes can support our precinct, like funding the rapid flashing beacon at Leonard Field, and our town, with projects like the WHS gym floor and critical infrastructure like bridges and roads.
— What specific methods will you use to gather and represent your constituents' perspectives on issues that come before Town Meeting?
As a parent at Muraco, I'll connect with current families to hear thei perspectives. When town meeting voted for improvements to Leonard and Macdonald playgrounds, I reached out to parents to understand their biggest concerns about the existing facilities.
I've talked with my neighbors as town meeting warrants come out to let them know what issues they should look out for and weigh in on. Prior to becoming a town meeting member, I've emailed my town meeting members on votes I found important – when I have received similar emails I read them and carefully weigh the concerns that are shared.
— Transparency and communication are vital in representative government. What steps will you take to keep your constituents informed about Town Meeting decisions and to explain your voting rationale?
We can always have more and better communication of what goes on in municipal government. I take detailed notes in town meeting, so that I can share what the vote was, what amendments were made, and key supporters of an initiative. The Town Meeting Members Association is also a public resource to understand what is going on in town meeting.
— Town Meeting decides three major things: It sets the salaries for the elected officials, votes to appropriate money to run the town, and votes on the town's local statutes, which are called by-laws. How do you plan to evaluate and make decisions on budgetary allocations to ensure fiscal responsibility while meeting the town's needs?
As a member of the Select Board, I've closely experienced the budget cycle for the past three years. When the town manager's budget created a second IT position in town hall, I considered the importance of a strong IT department against the risk of a role going unfilled in the future. I consider both the short and long term impacts of budget decisions when voting.
